Aloe ELEGANS

Aloe ELEGANS - Elegant aloe, Aloe elegans, Aloe aethiopica.

Aloe is a genus of very popular succulent plants belonging to the family Asphodelaceae. This genus numbers approximately 400 species and includes a large number of plants that have fleshy and very juicy leaves bearing fairly soft spines. There are shrubby, arborescent, and herbaceous forms, as well as vines. In wild conditions, aloe can be encountered in Africa, and a large number of species grow on the Arabian Peninsula and in Madagascar. Translated from Arabic, "aloe" means "bitter".

These plants have moderately sized tubular flowers, typically colored red, orange, white, or yellow. The flowers are located on a peduncle of fairly long length, in a terminal multiflowered raceme. Under domestic conditions, it rarely blooms. Aloe lives in a flowerpot for 5-20 years, for which it is also called the "centenarian".

Virtually all cultivated species of aloe are suitable for indoor cultivation, and they can even be used to green children's rooms. It is often used as a "home doctor". The plant is very unpretentious, and any problems associated with its care generally never arise. This plant can easily withstand a deficiency of light, moisture, as well as warmth. Species that were formerly grown very rarely now increasingly grace winter gardens. The centenarian makes an excellent addition when composing arrangements that include slow-growing plants.

Aloe elegans is a species aloe with broad glaucous leaves bearing reddish teeth.

Seeds are pre-soaked for 4-6 hours in a weak solution of potassium permanganate or fungicide with the addition of stimulants (SUPERthrive, HB-101, Aminozol, Epin, or Zircon), then sown into a moist substrate consisting of leaf mold and river sand layered over expanded clay pre-scalded with boiling water. A sowing substrate identical to that used for adeniums can also be used. The sowing is moistened with a spray bottle, placed in a mini-greenhouse or covered with film, and germinated in light, but not in direct sun, at a temperature of 21-26 °C (70-79 °F). Seedlings require ventilation. It is essential to avoid overwatering and drying out of the sowings.

When propagating aloe from seed, cultivar traits may segregate. Seeds usually germinate within 3-4 weeks to 2-3 months, depending on conditions. Pricking out is performed after 2-3 true leaves appear. Young plants are gradually acclimated to lower humidity and brighter light.

An alternative method of germinating seeds in distilled water or a 10% solution of growth stimulants is also possible. Seeds are placed in a small container of water, where they initially float but eventually sink. Germination occurs unevenly starting from 4 weeks, but may take several months. The water is changed every few days. Seeds are removed individually as they germinate and placed into a substrate of equal parts sand and compost.

The critical moment of this method is embedding the seed in the substrate with the root pointed strictly downward, which may push the seed outward instead of developing inward. Lifting seeds are not pressed back down, but dusted with a teaspoon of soil over top. Over the course of 4 weeks, one must watch each seed closely and adjust the sprouts to anchor the root.

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Aloe, like virtually all succulents, is undemanding in care. The centenarian loves light, so it is best placed on windowsills located in the southern part of the room. However, it can also be grown in shaded spots, though one should consider that with severe light deficiency, the aloe leaves will stretch and pale. In summer, the plant can be moved outdoors into fresh air, but falling rainwater must not be allowed to hit it. A centenarian kept outdoors for a long time has distinct advantages over one grown exclusively indoors: it develops sturdier spines and a better-formed stem.

In summer, aloe requires fairly generous watering. In winter, however, it should be watered very sparingly, using exclusively water at room temperature or slightly warmer. If watering is too meager, the leaves will become very thin with little juice. Because the roots of the centenarian are very thick and fill the entire pot, water drains almost immediately into the drip tray during watering. For this reason, it makes sense to water the plant by pouring water into the tray rather than into the pot. Moreover, the finest roots capable of absorbing moisture are located at the very bottom. To prevent root rot, any remaining liquid should be poured out of the tray 30 minutes after watering. Air humidity does not matter for aloe. However, an occasional warm shower is helpful to clean dust from the leaves.

In summer, the centenarian needs moderate ambient temperatures, and with the arrival of winter it should be moved to a cooler room. The plant tolerates sudden temperature swings well. Most species are capable of enduring drops down to 6 °C (43 °F). However, there are also species that require temperatures not lower than 15 °C (59 °F).

You can make the soil mix yourself by combining leaf mold, turf soil, sand, and humus in a 1:2:1:1 ratio. Also add charcoal and crushed brick. Peat should not be included in the mixture. The soil should be slightly acidic. You can also purchase a commercial cactus soil mix. Adding a little crushed brick and charcoal to it is recommended. While the plant is young, repotting is carried out annually. Mature aloe requires repotting far less often, about once every 2 or 3 years. Deep flowerpots should be chosen, without forgetting a good drainage layer.

Fertilizing is performed only once every 4 weeks and exclusively during the spring-summer period. A mineral fertilizer for succulents and cacti is used (mixed as a very dilute solution). Feeding should be discontinued in mid-autumn and suspended until spring.

Scale insects can sometimes infest the plant. To eliminate them, wipe the leaves as often as possible with a cloth dampened with soapy water.